This project is changing farming techniques among indigenous Maya in Guatemala to help them adapt
to climate change. “Malnutrition and climate change in Patzun” also organizes a
crop fund to support the communities in times of extreme weather, and provides water systems and
efficient cook stoves, among other support, to empower girls and women in these communities.

Fast facts:

50 goats distributed to two communities in 2012

Chronic malnutrition among children under five decreased from 43 percent to 14 percent in 2013,
helping improve resilience to climate change

Poverty and geography make Guatemala among the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change,
creating a precarious situation for food security. Tropical storms or hurricanes pound the Patzun
municipality in Guatemala’s Chimaltenango Department every year, destroying crops of the subsistence
farmers who live there. The region lacks regular job opportunities, leaving people in the communities
without the ability to earn money to buy food – so when they lose their harvest, they have nothing to
eat.

The solution

Behrhorst Partners for Development is carrying out this project to help
secure nutrition for Patzun communities. It’s introduced corn and bean seeds that are less
susceptible to the effects of climate change, and more sustainable growing techniques like organic
agriculture. Highly adaptable goats are also being provided to the communities, in order to increase the
availability of animal protein. Family gardens provide key nutrients and also allow families to sell excess
produce so that they can purchase basic goods.

Women in the communities have access to a rotating fund that allows them to buy corn when the price drops,
rather than only during shortages when the price is inflated. The project has also provided water systems
and efficient cook stoves to the communities, and includes a reforestation component as well.

Helping the planet

Efficient cook stoves reduce the need for firewood, helping trees remain standing – reforestation
then adds to their ranks. Providing drinking water systems has a similar effect, since less firewood is
needed to purify water by boiling it. Healthy forests improve the land and water, not to mention acting as
carbon banks. Switching from cows to goats, and to more efficient seed varieties, conserves natural
resources like soil and water. Organic agriculture reduces the use of chemicals and burning of weeds, which
in turn increases water, soil, and air quality.

Helping people

Health in the communities has improved, particularly among women and children, as a result of better
nutrition. With more varied food and income sources, the communities as a whole have been made more
resilient to severe storms that can wreak havoc there. Infrastructure like cook stoves and water systems
improve quality of life, while the focus on developing Maya women into leaders has empowered them.

Spillover effect

As people within and outside of the communities see that these women are more successful when a climate
event happens, they can be expected to take on their altered farming techniques, as well. Since the
conditions in rural Guatemala are similar to those in many other impoverished, tropical countries, the
project can be replicated at such locations as well.